Storage-stable pigmented formulations containing isocyanate groups and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to storage-stable pigmented formulations containing isocyanate groups, comprising at least one pigment a., at least one component b. containing isocyanate groups, at least one wetting agent and/or dispersant c., at least one grind resin d. and optionally solvents, wherein the formulation has a viscosity increase of less than 500% after storage at 50° C. over a period of at least 3 days. The invention also relates to the production of such formulations and to the use thereof.

The invention relates to storage-stable, pigmented, isocyanate group-containing formulations comprising at least one pigment a., at least one isocyanate group-containing component b., at least one wetting agent and/or dispersant c., at least one grinding resin d. and optionally solvents e., wherein the formulation after storage at 50° C. over a period of at least 3 days exhibits a rise in viscosity of less than 500%. The invention further relates to the preparation of such formulations and uses thereof.

Formulations which can be used as inks for printing have been known for a long time and are current prior art. These formulations are predominantly not reactive, but rather finely dispersed pigments or dissolved dyes in conventional solvents, water or oil. For fixing the pigments, the formulations frequently also contain a small proportion of a binder.

The treatment of pigments with isocyanates is also known in the literature. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,156,576 from 1964 has already described the modification of pigments, such as carbon black, silicate, titanium dioxide and similar compounds, with isocyanates. The dry pigment is in this case incorporated into a dry toluene/TDI mixture having a TDI content of 10% and the excess liquid is subsequently evaporated at 75° C. The pigment thus modified is then immediately incorporated, with exclusion of moisture, into a silicone which is then cured.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,152 describes a process for preventing the flocculation of pigments in 2K PU coatings. To this end, first an isocyanate/pigment slurry is produced and subsequently this slurry is mixed directly into a polyol. The colored polyols obtained did not display any pigment flocculation.

Although it is mentioned in the examples given that the pretreatment of pigments with isocyanates can be advantageous, no teaching can be found here regarding how a storage-stable, pigmented, isocyanate group-containing formulation can be produced.

In contrast, U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,856 describes the production of a reactive ink for digital printing. Here, compounds having at least one C—H-active group, compounds having blocked C—H-reactive groups, which prevents the reaction of the active hydrogen with the C—H-reactive group, emulsifiers and pigments or dyes are processed to give an inkjet ink that is stable at room temperature. Polyols and isocyanates are also mentioned specifically. The blocking can be effected either chemically or by means of encapsulation.

A disadvantage of the teaching from U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,856 is the blocking. Firstly, the blocking is complex and therefore expensive, secondly the isocyanate group first has to be deblocked again in order to allow a reaction to proceed with the deblocked isocyanate groups.

It was therefore an object to at least partially overcome at least one disadvantage of the prior art.

A further object of the invention was to provide a pigment-containing formulation which contains reactive isocyanate groups during its processing.

It was additionally an object of the invention to provide a pigment-containing formulation which has reactive isocyanate groups over as long as possible a processing period, preferably over a plurality of minutes or preferably over a plurality of hours.

It was also an object of the invention to provide a process which makes it possible to generate a storage-stable, isocyanate group-containing formulation.

A further object of the invention was to provide an isocyanate group-containing formulation in the form of an ink, in particular for digital printing.

The invention firstly provides a storage-stable, isocyanate group-containing formulation comprising the components:

-   -   a. at least one pigment,     -   b. at least one isocyanate group-containing component,     -   c. at least one wetting agent and/or dispersant,     -   d. at least one grinding resin and     -   e. optionally solvents,         characterized in that the formulation after storage at 50° C.         over a period of at least 3 days, or preferably of at least 5         days, or preferably of at least 7 days, or preferably of at         least 10 days, or preferably of at least 14 days, exhibits a         rise in viscosity of less than 500%, preferably of less than         300%, or preferably of less than 200%, or preferably of less         than 100%, or preferably of less than 50%, based on the starting         viscosity of the formulation. The starting viscosity is defined         according to the invention as the viscosity as of 1 hour after         combining all of the desired components, in particular the         selected components a. to e.

A preferred embodiment of the formulation contains at least one component having at least one isocyanate-reactive group, wherein the molar ratio of the isocyanate groups of component b. to the sum of all isocyanate-reactive groups in the formulation is at least 6:1, or preferably at least 8:1, or preferably at least 11:1, or preferably at least 15:1, or preferably at least 20:1, or preferably at least 50:1, or preferably at least 100:1.

In a preferred embodiment of the formulation, the formulation contains

-   -   a. 0.01% to 45% by weight, preferably 0.1% to 15% by weight, or         preferably 0.1% to 10% by weight, or preferably 0.2% to 8% by         weight, or preferably 0.5% to 5% by weight, of the at least one         pigment;     -   b. 1% to 99% by weight, preferably 5% to 95% by weight, or         preferably 10% to 93% by weight, or preferably 20% to 93% by         weight, or preferably 40% to 93% by weight, of the at least one         isocyanate group-containing component;     -   c. 0.01% to 20% by weight, preferably 0.05% to 15% by weight, or         preferably 0.1% to 10% by weight, of the at least one wetting         agent and/or dispersant;     -   d. 0.1% to 30% by weight, preferably 0.5% to 25% by weight, or         preferably 1% to 15% by weight, of the at least one grinding         resin;     -   e. 0% to 80% by weight, preferably 0% to 75% by weight, or         preferably 0% to 50% by weight, or preferably 0% to 20% by         weight, or preferably 0% to 10% by weight, or preferably 0.1% to         30% by weight, of solvents;         in each case based on the total amount of the formulation, with         the sum of all constituents in the formulation not exceeding         100% by weight.

The formulation preferably comprises

-   -   a. 0.5% to 5% by weight of the at least one pigment;     -   b. 40% to 93% by weight of the at least one isocyanate         group-containing component;     -   c. 0.1% to 10% by weight of the at least one wetting agent         and/or dispersant;     -   d. 1% to 15% by weight of the at least one grinding resin;     -   e. 0% to 30% by weight of solvents,         in each case based on the total amount of the formulation, with         the sum of all constituents in the formulation not exceeding         100% by weight, wherein the molar ratio of the isocyanate groups         of component b. to the sum of all isocyanate-reactive groups in         the formulation is at least 6:1, or preferably at least 8:1,         more preferably at least 11:1, particularly preferably at least         20:1.

Stable, in particular storage-stable, isocyanate group-containing formulations within the context of the invention are preferably distinguished by the fact that the viscosity during a storage of at least 3 days, or preferably at least 5 days, or preferably of at least 7 days, or preferably of at least 10 days, or preferably of at least 14 days, at 50° C. merely exhibit a rise in viscosity of ≤500%, preferably of ≤300%, or preferably of ≤200%, or preferably of ≤100%, or preferably of ≤50%. Especially preferably, the rise in the viscosity during a storage of 3 days at 50° C. of the formulation is ≤100%, based on the starting viscosity. More preferably, the rise in the particle size of the isocyanate group-containing formulation, measured with dynamic light scattering after redispersion of any soft sediments formed, based on the Z-average, is at most 500%, preferably at most 200%, preferably at most 100%, preferably at most 50%. “Soft sediments” are understood within the context of the invention to mean that the sediments redisperse as a result of shaking. The Z-average is the measured, intensity-weighted harmonic mean of the hydrodynamic diameter of the particles.

More preferably, the formulation at the time of determination of the starting viscosity or after storage thereof for at least 3 days, or preferably for at least 10 days, or preferably for at least 14 days, has a content of isocyanate groups in a range from 2% to 60% by weight, or preferably in a range from 3% to 50% by weight, or preferably in a range from 4% to 35% by weight, or preferably in a range from 5% to 20% by weight, based on the total amount of the formulation.

It is preferable for the isocyanate group-containing formulation to preferably not comprise any hard sediments. “Hard sediments” are understood within the context of the invention to mean that the sediments cannot be redispersed by shaking. “Shaking” is preferably understood to mean shaking by hand or by means of customary laboratory shaking machines. A customary laboratory shaker that can be used is an IKA® VORTEX 2 at a speed of 2000 rpm, with the shaking time preferably being in a range from 10 to 60 seconds, or preferably in a range from 15 to 40 seconds.

Pigments

The pigments used can be any pigments which would be used by those skilled in the art for a stable formulation. Pigments which preferably find use as component a. can be divided into a number of classes: organic or inorganic pigments which are present dispersed as a solids dispersion in the form of particles, if necessary with the aid of a suitable wetting agent and/or dispersant. The pigments are either used individually or as a mixture of at least two of these.

The at least one pigment can be selected from a large number of pigment classes. If the application corresponds to printing techniques, in particular to inkjet printing, pigment particles having a diameter of less than or equal to 100 μm, preferably less than or equal to 10 μm or preferably less than or equal to 5 μm, are advantageous.

The pigment is preferably homogeneously distributed in the formulation. “Homogeneously” is understood to mean that the percentage proportion of the pigment in the formulation at different locations differs by not more than 10% by weight, preferably not more than 5% by weight, particularly preferably not more than 1% by weight, from the average proportion of pigment in the formulation.

Examples of suitable organic pigments are:

Monoazo Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Brown 25; C.I. Pigment Orange 5, 13, 36 and 67;     -   C.I. Pigment Red 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 12, 17, 22, 23, 31, 48:1,         48:2, 48:3, 48:4, 49, 49:1, 52:1, 52:2, 53, 53:1, 53:3, 57:1,         251, 112, 146, 170, 184, 210 and 245;     -   C.I. Pigment Yellow 1, 3, 73, 74, 65, 97, 151 and 183;

Naphthol AS Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Brown 1;     -   C.I. Pigment Orange 22, 24, 38;     -   C.I. Pigment Red 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,         18, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 95, 112, 114, 119, 136, 146, 147, 148,         150, 151, 164, 170, 184, 187, 188, 210, 212, 213, 222, 223, 237,         239, 240, 243, 245, 247, 253, 256, 258, 261, 266, 267, 268, 269;     -   C.I. Pigment Violet 13, 25, 44, 50;

Disazo Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Brown 23;     -   C.I. Pigment Orange 15, 16, 34 and 44;     -   C.I. Pigment Red 144, 166, 214, 220, 221 242 and 248;     -   C.I. Pigment Yellow 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 55, 63, 81, 83, 87, 90,         106, 113, 114, 121, 126, 127, 152, 155, 170, 171, 172, 174, 176         and 188;

Benzimidazolone Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Brown 25     -   C.I. Orange 36, 60, 62, 72     -   C.I. Pigment Red 171, 175, 176, 185, 208     -   C.I. Yellow 120, 151, 154, 175, 180, 181, 194     -   C.I. Violet 32;

Anthanthrone Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Orange 77;     -   C.I. Pigment Red 168 (C.I. Vat Orange 3);

Anthraquinone Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Yellow 147, 193, 199, and 202;     -   C.I. Pigment Violet 31;

Anthrapyrimidine Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Yellow 108 (C.I. Vat Yellow 20);

Quinacridone Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Red 122, 202 and 206;     -   C.I. Pigment Violet 19;

Quinophthalone Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Yellow 138;

Diketopyrrolopyrrole Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Orange 71 and 73;     -   C.I. Pigment Red 254, 255, 264, and 272

Dioxazine Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Violet 23 and 37;

Flavanthrone Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Yellow 24 (C.I. Vat Yellow 1);

Indanthrone Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Blue 60 (C.I. Vat Blue 4) and 64 (C.I. Vat Blue 6);

Isoindoline Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Brown 38;     -   C.I. Pigment Orange 66 and 69;     -   C.I. Pigment Red 260;     -   C.I. Pigment Yellow 139 and 185;

Isoindolinone Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Orange 61;     -   C.I. Pigment Red 257 and 260;     -   C.I. Pigment Yellow 109, 110, 173 and 185;

Isoviolanthrone Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Violet 31 (C.I. Vat Violet 1);

Metal Complex Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Green 8 and 10;     -   C.I. Pigment Red 257     -   C.I. Pigment Yellow 117, 129, 150 and 153;

Perinone Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Orange 43 (C.I. Vat Orange 7);     -   C.I. Pigment Red 194 (C.I. Vat Red 15);

Perylene Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Black 31 and 32;     -   C.I. Pigment Red 123, 149, 178, 179 (C.I. Vat Red 23), 190 (C.I.         Vat Red 29) and 224;     -   C.I. Pigment Violet 29;

Phthalocyanine Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Blue 15, 15:1, 15:2, 15:3, 15:4, 15:6 and 16;     -   C.I. Pigment Green 7 and 36;

Pyranthrone Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Orange 40 and 51;     -   C.I. Pigment Red 216 (C.I. Vat Orange 4), 226;

Thioindigo Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Red 88 and 181 (C.I. Vat Red 1);     -   C.I. Pigment Violet 38 (C.I. Vat Violet 3);

Triarylcarbonium Pigments:

-   -   C.I. Pigment Blue 1, 2, 9, 10, 14, 61 and 62;     -   C.I. Pigment Green 1 and 4;     -   C.I. Pigment Red 81, 81:1 and 169;     -   C.I. Pigment Violet 1, 2, 3, 27 and 39;     -   C.I. Pigment Black 1 (aniline black);     -   C.I. Pigment Yellow 101 (aldazine yellow);     -   C.I. Pigment Brown 22;

The at least one pigment is preferably selected from the group consisting of P.B. 15:4 (e.g. Hostaperm® Blue BT-617-D), P.V. 19 (e.g. Inkjet Magenta 5EB02), P.Y. 155 (e.g. Inkjet Yellow 4GC) or a mixture of at least two of these.

Examples of suitable inorganic pigments:

White Pigments:

-   -   titanium dioxide (C.I. Pigment White 6), zinc white, pigment         grade zinc oxide; zinc sulfide, lithopone; lead white;

Black Pigments:

-   -   iron oxide black (C.I. Pigment Black 11), iron manganese black,         spinel black (C.I. Pigment Black 27); carbon black (C.I. Pigment         Black 7);

Chromatic Pigments:

-   -   chromium oxide, chromium oxide hydrate green; chromium green         (C.I. Pigment Green 48); cobalt green (C.I. Pigment Green 50);         ultramarine green;     -   cobalt blue (C.I. Pigment Blue 28 and 36); ultramarine blue;         iron blue (C.I. Pigment Blue 27); manganese blue;     -   ultramarine violet; cobalt violet and manganese violet;     -   iron oxide red (C.I Pigment Red 101); cadmium sulfoselenide         (C.I. Pigment Red 108); molybdate red (C.I. Pigment Red 104);         ultramarine red;     -   iron oxide brown, mixed brown, spinel and corundum phases (C.I.         Pigment Brown 24, 29 and 31), chromium orange;     -   iron oxide yellow (C.I Pigment Yellow 42); nickel titanium         yellow (C.I. Pigment Yellow 53; C.I. Pigment Yellow 157 and         164); chromium titanium yellow; cadmium sulfide and cadmium zinc         sulfide (C.I. Pigment Yellow 37 and 35); chromium yellow (C.I.         Pigment Yellow 34), zinc yellow, alkaline earth metal chromates;         Naples yellow; bismuth vanadate (C.I. Pigment Yellow 184);

Interference Pigments:

-   -   metal effect pigments based on coated metal platelets;         pearlescent pigments based on metal oxide-coated mica platelets;         liquid crystal pigments.

The at least one pigment is preferably selected from the group consisting of P.W. 6 (e.g. Kronos® 2310), Pigment Black 6 or 7 (e.g. NiPex® 35) or a mixture of these.

The isocyanate group-containing component b. can be any component which comprises at least one isocyanate group and would be selected by those skilled in the art for the storage-stable formulation. Component b. preferably comprises a polyisocyanate.

The term “polyisocyanate” as used here is a collective term for compounds containing two or more isocyanate groups —N═C═O in the molecule. Preferred representatives of these polyisocyanates are the diisocyanates. These have the general structure O═C═N—R—N═C═O where R typically represents aliphatic, alicyclic, araliphatic and/or aromatic radicals.

Where reference is made here to “isocyanates” in general terms, this means both monoisocyanates and monomeric and/or oligomeric polyisocyanates alike. For the understanding of many aspects of the invention, however, it is important to distinguish between monomeric diisocyanates and oligomeric polyisocyanates. Where reference is made here to “oligomeric polyisocyanates”, this means polyisocyanates formed from at least two monomeric diisocyanate molecules, i.e. compounds that constitute or contain a reaction product formed from at least two monomeric diisocyanate molecules.

Preferably, at least one of the monomeric or oligomeric polyisocyanates present in the isocyanate group-containing component b. has an (average) NCO functionality of 2.0 to 6.0, or preferably from 2.3 to 4.5.

Monomeric polyisocyanates suitable for use in the isocyanate component are preferably those monomeric polyisocyanates having a molecular weight in the range from 140 to 400 g/mol which contain aliphatically, cycloaliphatically, araliphatically and/or aromatically bonded isocyanate groups. These polyisocyanates are obtainable in various ways, for example by phosgenation in the liquid or gas phase or by a phosgene-free route, for example by thermal urethane cleavage.

Preferred monomeric isocyanates having aliphatically bonded isocyanate groups are 1,4-diisocyanatobutane (BDI), 1,5-diisocyanatopentane (PDI), 1,6-diisocyanatohexane (HDI), 2-methyl-1,5-diisocyanatopentane, 1,5-diisocyanato-2,2-dimethylpentane, 2,2,4- or 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,6-diisocyanatohexane and 1,10-diisocyanatodecane.

In a preferred embodiment of the formulation, the isocyanate group-containing component b. is selected from the group consisting of consisting of 1,4-diisocyanatobutane (BDI), 1,5-diisocyanatopentane (PDI), 1,6-diisocyanatohexane (HDI), 2-methyl-1,5-diisocyanatopentane, 1,5-diisocyanato-2,2-dimethylpentane, 2,2,4- and 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,6-diisocyanatohexane and 1,10-diisocyanatodecane, 1,3- and 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)benzene (xylylene diisocyanate; XDI), 1,3- and 1,4-bis(1-isocyanato-1-methylethyl)benzene (TMXDI), 2,4- and 2,6-diisocyanatotoluene (TDI), 2,4′- and 4,4′-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (MDI) and 1,5-diisocyanatonaphthalene, 1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane (isophorone diisocyanate; IPDI), 1-isocyanato-1-methyl-4(3)-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane, 2,4′- and 4,4′-diisocyanatodicyclohexylmethane (H12MDI), or a mixture of at least two of these, and optionally oligomers and reaction products of these.

The isocyanate group-containing component b. preferably comprises monomeric isocyanates having cycloaliphatically bonded isocyanate groups selected from the group consisting of 1,3- and 1,4-diisocyanatocyclohexane, 1,4-diisocyanato-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, 1,3-diisocyanato-2-methylcyclohexane, 1,3-diisocyanato-4-methylcyclohexane, 1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane (isophorone diisocyanate; IPDI), 1-isocyanato-1-methyl-4(3)-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane, 2,4′- and 4,4′-diisocyanatodicyclohexylmethane (H12MDI), 1,3- and 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane, bis(isocyanatomethyl)norbornane (NBDI), 4,4′-diisocyanato-3,3′-dimethyldicyclohexylmethane, 4,4′-diisocyanato-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyldicyclohexylmethane, 4,4′-diisocyanato-1,1′-bi(cyclohexyl), 4,4′-diisocyanato-3,3′-dimethyl-1,1′-bi(cyclohexyl), 4,4′-diisocyanato-2,2′,5,5′-tetramethyl-1,1′-bi(cyclohexyl), 1,8-diisocyanato-p-menthane, 1,3-diisocyanatoadamantane and 1,3-dimethyl-5,7-diisocyanatoadamantane.

Preferred monomeric isocyanates having araliphatically bonded isocyanate groups are 1,3- and 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)benzene (xylylene diisocyanate; XDI), 1,3- and 1,4-bis(1-isocyanato-1-methylethyl)benzene (TMXDI).

Preferred monomeric isocyanates having aromatically bonded isocyanate groups are 2,4- and 2,6-diisocyanatotoluene (TDI), 2,4′- and 4,4′-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane (MDI) and 1,5-diisocyanatonaphthalene.

Further diisocyanates which are likewise suitable are additionally found, for example, in Justus Liebigs Annalen der Chemie Volume 562 (1949) p. 75-136.

The isocyanate group-containing component b. preferably contains at least 40% by weight, preferably at least 50% by weight, or preferably at least 60% by weight, or preferably at least 70% by weight, or preferably at least 80% by weight, or preferably at least 90% by weight, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic isocyanates, based on the total amount of isocyanate group-containing component b.

In one preferred embodiment, the isocyanate group-containing component b. comprises the isocyanate group-containing component b. consists of aliphatic or cycloaliphatic isocyanates.

Preferably, the isocyanate group-containing component b. used can be at least one polyisocyanate. Oligomeric polyisocyanates usable with preference are obtainable from the abovedescribed monomeric polyisocyanates by the process of “modification” of monomeric polyisocyanates which is described in the following section. Oligomeric polyisocyanates may be obtained here by modification of individual representatives of the abovementioned monomeric polyisocyanates. However, it is also possible to modify mixtures of at least two of the abovementioned monomeric polyisocyanates with the result that oligomeric polyisocyanates constructed from at least two different monomers are obtained.

The preparation of oligomeric polyisocyanates from monomeric diisocyanates is also referred to here as modification of monomeric diisocyanates. This “modification” as used here means the reaction of monomeric diisocyanates to give oligomeric polyisocyanates having uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and/or oxadiazinetrione structure.

For example, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) is a “monomeric diisocyanate” since it contains two isocyanate groups and is not a reaction product of at least two polyisocyanate molecules:

By contrast, reaction products of at least two HDI molecules which still have at least two isocyanate groups are “oligomeric polyisocyanates” in the context of the invention. Proceeding from monomeric HDI, representatives of such “oligomeric polyisocyanates” include for example the HDI isocyanurate and the HDI biuret each constructed from three monomeric HDI units:

According to the invention, the oligomeric polyisocyanates may in particular have uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and/or oxadiazinetrione structure. In one embodiment of the invention, the oligomeric polyisocyanates have at least one of the following oligomeric structure types or mixtures thereof:

It is advantageous to use oligomeric polyisocyanates which constitute a mixture of at least two oligomeric polyisocyanates, the at least two oligomeric polyisocyanates differing in terms of structure. This structure is preferably selected from the group consisting of uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and oxadiazinetrione structure, and mixtures thereof. Particularly compared to crosslinking reactions with oligomeric polyisocyanates of just one defined structure, starting mixtures of this kind can lead to an effect on the Tg value, which is advantageous for many applications.

Preference is given to using, in the process according to the invention, an isocyanate group-containing component b. containing at least one oligomeric polyisocyanate having biuret, allophanate, isocyanurate and/or iminooxadiazinedione structure and mixtures thereof.

An oligomeric polyisocyanate present in the isocyanate group-containing component b. is preferably one that contains only a single defined oligomeric structure, for example exclusively or mostly isocyanurate structure. However, as a consequence of production the oligomeric polyisocyanates employed according to the invention generally always contain a plurality of different oligomeric structures next to each other.

In the context of the present invention, oligomeric polyisocyanate is regarded as being constructed from a single defined oligomeric structure when an oligomeric structure selected from uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and/or oxadiazinetrione structure is present to an extent of at least 50 mol %, by preference 60 mol %, preferably 70 mol %, particularly preferably 80 mol %, especially 90 mol %, based in each case on the sum total of the oligomeric structures from the group consisting of uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and oxadiazinetrione structure present in the oligomeric polyisocyanate.

Preference is given to using an oligomeric polyisocyanate of a single defined oligomeric structure, where the oligomeric structure is selected from uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and/or oxadiazinetrione structure and is present to an extent of at least 50 mol %, by preference 60 mol %, preferably 70 mol %, particularly preferably 80 mol %, especially 90 mol %, based in each case on the sum total of the oligomeric structures from the group consisting of uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and oxadiazinetrione structure present in the oligomeric polyisocyanate.

The oligomeric polyisocyanates are preferably ones which mainly have an isocyanurate structure and which may contain the abovementioned uretdione, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and/or oxadiazinetrione structure only as byproducts. One embodiment of the invention thus provides for the use of an oligomeric polyisocyanate of a single defined oligomeric structure, where the oligomeric structure is an isocyanurate structure and is present to an extent of at least 50 mol %, by preference 60 mol %, preferably 70 mol %, particularly preferably 80 mol %, especially 90 mol %, based in each case on the sum total of the oligomeric structures from the group consisting of uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and oxadiazinetrione structure present in the polyisocyanate.

It is also possible to use oligomeric polyisocyanates having very substantially no isocyanurate structure, and containing mainly at least one of the abovementioned uretdione, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and/or oxadiazinetrione structure types. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the oligomeric polyisocyanate used consists of at least 50 mol %, by preference 60 mol %, preferably 70 mol %, particularly preferably 80 mol %, especially 90 mol %, based in each case on the sum total of the oligomeric structures from the group consisting of uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and oxadiazinetrione structure present in the polyisocyanate, of oligomeric polyisocyanates having a structure type selected from the group consisting of uretdione, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and/or oxadiazinetrione structure.

Preference is given to the use of a low-isocyanurate polyisocyanate having, based on the sum total of the oligomeric structures from the group consisting of uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and oxadiazinetrione structure present in the polyisocyanate, at most 50 mol %, by preference at most 40 mol %, preferably at most 30 mol %, particularly preferably at most 20 mol %, 10 mol % or 5 mol % of isocyanurate structures.

Preference is given to using an oligomeric polyisocyanate of a single defined oligomeric structure type, where the oligomeric structure type is selected from the group consisting of uretdione, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and/or oxadiazinetrione structure and this structure type is present to an extent of at least 50 mol %, by preference 60 mol %, preferably 70 mol %, particularly preferably 80 mol %, especially 90 mol %, based on the sum total of the oligomeric structures from the group consisting of uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and oxadiazinetrione structure present in the polyisocyanate.

The proportions of uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and/or oxadiazinetrione structure in the isocyanate group-containing component b. can be determined for example by NMR spectroscopy. Preferably employable here is 13C NMR spectroscopy, preferably in proton-decoupled form, since the oligomeric structures mentioned give characteristic signals.

Processes for preparing the oligomeric polyisocyanates that are preferably to be used in the isocyanate group-containing component b. and have uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and/or oxadiazinedione structure have been described for example in J. Prakt. Chem. 336 (1994) 185-200, in DE-A 1 670 666, DE-A 1 954 093, DE-A 2 414 413, DE-A 2 452 532, DE-A 2 641 380, DE-A 3 700 209, DE-A 3 900 053 and DE-A 3 928 503 or in EP-A 0 336 205, EP-A 0 339 396 and EP-A 0 798 299.

Preferably, a usable oligomeric polyisocyanate is defined in that it contains oligomeric polyisocyanates which have been obtained from monomeric diisocyanates, irrespective of the nature of the modification reaction used, with observation of an oligomerization level of from 5% to 45%, preferably 10% to 40%, particularly preferably 15% to 30%. “Oligomerization level” is understood here to mean the percentage of isocyanate groups originally present in the starting mixture which are consumed during the preparation process to form uretdione, isocyanurate, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and/or oxadiazinetrione structures.

Preference is given to using, as oligomeric polyisocyanate, an isocyanate-terminated prepolymers. These prepolymers are known to those skilled in the art and are obtainable by reaction of an excess of a suitable monomeric isocyanate, as described hereinabove, with a suitable compound bearing isocyanate-reactive groups.

In the context of the present, invention isocyanate-reactive groups are to be understood as meaning amine, amide, urethane, alcohol, thiol, epoxide, carboxylic acid, carboxylic anhydride groups or groups containing Zerewitinoff-active hydrogen. For the definition of Zerewitinoff-active hydrogen reference is made to Römpp Chemie Lexikon, Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart. Isocyanate-reactive groups are preferably to be understood as meaning OH, NH and/or SH.

Examples of compounds having isocyanate-reactive groups are monohydric, dihydric and polyhydric alcohols having primary, secondary and tertiary OH groups, analogous thiols, polyols, for example polyether polyols, polyester polyols, polyacrylate polyols, polycarbonate polyols, analogous polythiols, sulfur-containing hydroxyl compounds, amines (for example primary, secondary, aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, sterically hindered), polyamines and aspartic esters.

Alcohols may be for example low molecular weight diols (for example ethane-1,2-diol, propane-1,3- or -1,2-diol, butane-1,4-diol), triols (for example glycerol, trimethylolpropane) and tetraols (for example pentaerythritol) but also higher molecular weight polyhydroxyl compounds such as polyether polyols, polyester polyols, polycarbonate polyols, polysiloxane polyols and polybutadiene polyols.

Polyether polyols are obtainable in a manner known per se, by alkoxylation of suitable starter molecules under base catalysis or using double metal cyanide compounds (DMC compounds). Examples of suitable starter molecules for the preparation of polyether polyols are simple low molecular weight polyols, water, organic polyamines having at least two N—H bonds, or any mixtures of such starter molecules. Preferred starter molecules for the preparation of polyether polyols by alkoxylation, in particular by the DMC process, are in particular simple polyols such as ethylene glycol, propylene 1,3-glycol and butane-1,4-diol, hexane-1,6-diol, neopentyl glycol, 2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, and low molecular weight, hydroxyl group-containing esters of such polyols with dicarboxylic acids of the type specified hereinafter by way of example, or low molecular weight ethoxylation or propoxylation products of such simple polyols, or any desired mixtures of such modified or unmodified alcohols. Alkylene oxides suitable for the alkoxylation are especially ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, which can be used in the alkoxylation in any sequence or else in a mixture.

Polyester polyols can be prepared in a known manner by polycondensation of low molecular weight polycarboxylic acid derivatives, for example succinic acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanedioic acid, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, tetrachlorophthalic anhydride, endomethylenetetrahydrophthalic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, succinic acid, dimer fatty acid, trimer fatty acid, phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, citric acid or trimellitic acid, with low molecular weight polyols, for example ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, hexanediol, butanediol, propylene glycol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, 1,4-hydroxymethylcyclohexane, 2-methylpropane-1,3-diol, butane-1,2,4-triol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, dibutylene glycol and polybutylene glycol, or by ring-opening polymerization of cyclic carboxylic esters such as ε-caprolactone. It is moreover also possible to polycondense hydroxycarboxylic acid derivatives, for example lactic acid, cinnamic acid or ω-hydroxycaproic acid to form polyester polyols. However, it is also possible to use polyester polyols of oleochemical origin. Such polyester polyols can be prepared, for example, by full ring-opening of epoxidized triglycerides of an at least partly olefinically unsaturated fatty acid-containing fat mixture with one or more alcohols having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and by subsequent partial transesterification of the triglyceride derivatives to alkyl ester polyols having 1 to 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical.

The preparation of suitable polyacrylate polyols is known per se to those skilled in the art. They are obtained by free-radical polymerization of olefinically unsaturated monomers having hydroxyl groups or by free-radical copolymerization of olefinically unsaturated monomers having hydroxyl groups with optionally different olefinically unsaturated monomers, for example ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, styrene, acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, and/or methacrylonitrile. Suitable olefinically unsaturated monomers having hydroxyl groups are in particular 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, the hydroxypropyl acrylate isomer mixture obtainable by addition of propylene oxide onto acrylic acid, and the hydroxypropyl methacrylate isomer mixture obtainable by addition of propylene oxide onto methacrylic acid. Suitable free-radical initiators are those from the group of the azo compounds, for example azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN), or from the group of the peroxides, for example di-tert-butyl peroxide.

Amines can be any desired monofunctional or polyfunctional amines, for example methylamine, ethylamine, n-propylamine, isopropylamine, the isomeric butylamines, pentylamines, hexylamines and octylamines, n-dodecylamine, n-tetradecylamine, n-hexadecylamine, n-octadecylamine, cyclohexylamine, the isomeric methylcyclohexylamines, aminomethylcyclohexane, dimethylamine, diethylamine, dipropylamine, diisopropylamine, dibutylamine, diisobutylamine, bis(2-ethylhexyl)amine, N-methyl- and N-ethylcyclohexylamine, dicyclohexylamine, hydrazine, ethylenediamine, 1,2-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 2-methylpentamethylenediamine, 1,6-diaminohexane, 2,2,4- and 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylenediamine, 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, 1-amino-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-aminomethylcyclohexane (isophoronediamine, IPDA), 4,4′-diaminodicyclohexylmethane, pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine, (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane, (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and (3-methylamino)propyltrimethoxysilane, aminoalcohols, for example 2-aminoethanol, 2-methylaminoethanol, 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol, 2-(diethylamino)ethanol, 2-(dibutylamino)ethanol, diethanolamine, N-methyldiethanolamine, triethanolamine, 3-amino-1-propanol, 3-dimethylamino-1-propanol, 1-amino-2-propanol, 1-dimethylamino-2-propanol, 1-diethylamino-2-propanol, bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine, bis(2-hydroxypropyl)methylamine, 2-(hydroxyethyl)bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine, tris(2-hydroxypropyl)amine, 4-amino-2-butanol, 2-amino-2-methylpropanol, 2-amino-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol, 2-amino-2-hydroxypropylpropane-1,3-diol and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine, etheramines, for example 2-methoxyethylamine, 3-methoxypropylamine, 2-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)ethanol and 1,4-bis(3-aminopropoxy)butane or aromatic di- and triamines having at least one alkyl substituent having 1 to 3 carbon atoms at the aromatic ring, for example tolylene-2,4-diamine, tolylene-2,6-diamine, 1-methyl-3,5-diethyl-2,4-diaminobenzene, 1,3-diethyl-2,4-diaminobenzene, 1-methyl-3,5-diethyl-2,6-diaminobenzene, 1,3,5-triethyl-2,6-diaminobenzene, 3,5,3′,5′-tetraethyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4 diaminodiphenylmethane, 1-ethyl-2,4-diaminobenzene, 1-ethyl-2,6-diaminobenzene, 2,6-diethylnaphthylene-1,5-diamine, 4,4′-methylenebis(2,6-diisopropylaniline).

It is also possible to use polyamines, for example the polyaspartic acid derivatives known from EP-B 0 403 921, or else polyamines the amino groups of which are in blocked form, for example polyketimines, polyaldimines or oxazolanes. The effect of moisture on these blocked amino groups is to convert them into free amino groups and, in the case of the oxazolanes, into free hydroxyl groups as well, which can be consumed by crosslinking reaction with the isocyanate groups.

Suitable amino-functional components are in particular polyaspartic esters such as are obtainable for example by the process of EP-B 0 403 921 by reaction of diamines with fumaric or maleic esters.

Preferred amino-functional compounds are polyether polyamines having 2 to 4, preferably 2 to 3 and particularly preferably 2 aliphatically bonded primary amino groups and a number-average molecular weight Mn of 148 to 12 200, preferably 148 to 8200, particularly preferably 148 to 4000 and very particularly preferably 148 to 2000 g/mol. Particularly suitable thiols are compounds having at least two thiol groups per molecule.

Preferred polythiols are selected for example from the group consisting of simple alkanethiols, for example methanedithiol, ethane-1,2-dithiol, propane-1,1-dithiol, propane-1,2-dithiol, propane-1,3-dithiol, propane-2,2-dithiol, butane-1,4-dithiol, butane-2,3-dithiol, pentane-1,5-dithiol, hexane-1,6-dithiol, propane-1,2,3-trithiol, cyclohexane-1,1-dithiol, cyclohexane-1,2-dithiol, 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-dithiol, 3,4-dimethoxybutane-1,2-dithiol or 2-methylcyclohexane-2,3-dithiol, thioether group-containing polythiols, for example 2,4-dimercaptomethyl-1,5-dimercapto-3-thiapentane, 4-mercaptomethyl-1,8-dimercapto-3,6-dithiaoctane, 4,8-dimercaptomethyl-1,11-dimercapto-3,6,9-trithiaundecane, 4,7-dimercaptomethyl-1,11-dimercapto-3,6,9-trithiaundecane, 5,7-dimercaptomethyl-1,11-dimercapto-3 ,6,9-trithiaundecane, 5,6-bis(mercaptoethylthio)-1,10-dimercapto-3,8-dithiadecane, 4,5-bis(mercaptoethylthio)-1,10-dimercapto-3,8-dithiadecane, tetrakis(mercaptomethyl)methane, 1,1,3,3-tetrakis(mercaptomethylthio)propane, 1,1,5,5-tetrakis(mercaptomethylthio)-3-thiapentane, 1,1,6,6-tetrakis(mercaptomethylthio)-3,4-dithiahexane, 2-mercaptoethylthio-1,3-dimercaptopropane, 2,3-bis(mercaptoethylthio)-1-mercaptopropane, 2,2-bis(mercaptomethyl)-1,3-dimercaptopropane, bis(mercaptomethyl) sulfide, bis(mercaptomethyl) disulfide, bis(mercaptoethyl) sulfide, bis(mercaptoethyl) disulfide, bis(mercaptopropyl) sulfide, bis(mercaptopropyl) disulfide, bis(mercaptomethylthio)methane, tris(mercaptomethylthio)methane, bis(mercaptoethylthio)methane, tris(mercaptoethylthio)methane, bis(mercaptopropylthio)methane, 1,2-bis(mercaptomethylthio)ethane, 1,2-bis(mercaptoethylthio)ethane, 2-mercaptoethylthio)ethane, 1,3-bis(mercaptomethylthio)propane, 1,3-bis(mercaptopropylthio)propane, 1,2,3-tris(mercaptomethylthio)propane, 1,2,3-tris(mercaptoethylthio)propane, 1,2,3-tris(mercaptopropylthio)propane, tetrakis(mercaptomethylthio)methane, tetrakis(mercaptoethylthiomethyl)methane, tetrakis(mercaptopropylthiomethyl)methane, 2,5-dimercapto-1,4-dithiane, 2,5-bis(mercaptomethyl)-1,4-dithiane and its oligomers obtainable according to JP-A 07118263, 1,5-bis(mercaptopropyl)-1,4-dithiane, 1,5-bis(2-mercaptoethylthiomethyl)-1,4-dithiane, 2-mercaptomethyl-6-mercapto-1,4-dithiacycloheptane, 2,4,6-trimercapto-1,3,5-trithiane, 2,4,6-trimercaptomethyl-1,3,5-trithiane or 2-(3-bis(mercaptomethyl)-2-thiapropyl)-1,3-dithiolane, polyesterthiols, for example ethylene glycol bis(2-mercaptoacetate), ethylene glycol bis(3-mercaptopropionate), diethylene glycol 2-mercaptoacetate, diethylene glycol 3-mercaptopropionate, 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol 3-mercaptopropionate, 3-mercaptopropane-1,2-diol bis(2-mercaptoacetate), 3-mercaptopropane-1,2-diol bis(3-mercaptopropionate), trimethylolpropane tris(2-mercaptoacetate), trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate), trimethylolethane tris(2-mercaptoacetate), trimethylolethane tris(3-mercaptopropionate), pentaerythritol tetrakis(2-mercaptoacetate), pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate), glycerol tris(2-mercaptoacetate), glycerol tris(3-mercaptopropionate), cyclohexane-1,4-diol bis(2-mercaptoacetate), cyclohexane-1,4-diol bis(3-mercaptopropionate), hydroxymethyl sulfide bis(2-mercaptoacetate), hydroxymethyl sulfide bis(3-mercaptopropionate), hydroxyethyl sulfide 2-mercaptoacetate, hydroxyethyl sulfide 3-mercaptopropionate, hydroxymethyl disulfide 2-mercaptoacetate, hydroxymethyl disulfide 3-mercaptopropionate, (2-mercaptoethyl ester) thioglycolate or bis(2-mercaptoethyl ester) thiodipropionate and aromatic thio compounds, for example 1,2-dimercaptobenzene, 1,3-dimercaptobenzene, 1,4-dimercaptobenzene, 1,2-bis(mercaptomethyl)benzene, 1,4-bis(mercaptomethyl)benzene, 1,2-bis(mercaptoethyl)benzene, 1,4-bis(mercaptoethyl)benzene, 1,2,3-trimercaptobenzene, 1,2,4-trimercaptobenzene, 1,3,5-trimercaptobenzene, 1,2,3-tris(mercaptomethyl)benzene, 1,2,4-tris(mercaptomethyl)benzene, 1,3,5-tris(mercaptomethyl)benzene, 1,2,3-tris(mercaptoethyl)benzene, 1,3,5-tris(mercaptoethyl)benzene, 1,2,4-tris(mercaptoethyl)benzene, toluene-2,5-dithiol, toluene-3,4-dithiol, naphthalene-1,4-dithiol, naphthalene-1,5-dithiol, naphthalene-2,6-dithiol, naphthalene-2,7-dithiol, 1,2,3,4-tetramercaptobenzene, 1,2,3,5-tetramercaptobenzene, 1,2,4,5-tetramercaptobenzene, 1,2,3,4-tetrakis(mercaptomethyl)benzene, 1,2,3,5-tetrakis(mercaptomethyl)benzene, 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(mercaptomethyl)benzene, 1,2,3,4-tetrakis(mercaptoethyl)benzene, 1,2,3,5-tetrakis(mercaptoethyl)benzene, 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(mercaptoethyl)benzene, 2,2′-dimercaptobiphenyl or 4,4′-dimercaptobiphenyl. Such polythiols may be used individually or else in the form of any desired mixtures with one another.

Sulfur-containing hydroxyl compounds are likewise suitable. Such compounds preferably contain at least one sulfur atom in the form of thio groups, thioether groups, thioesterurethane groups, esterthiourethane groups and/or polythioesterthiourethane groups, and at least one OH group.

Preferred sulfur-containing hydroxyl compounds may be selected from the group consisting of simple mercaptoalcohols, for example 2-mercaptoethanol, 3-mercaptopropanol, 1,3-dimercapto-2-propanol, 2,3-dimercaptopropanol or dithioerythritol, alcohols containing thioether structures, for example di(2-hydroxyethyl) sulfide, 1,2-bis(2-hydroxyethylmercapto)ethane, bis(2-hydroxyethyl) disulfide or 1,4-dithiane-2,5-diol and sulfur-containing diols having polyesterurethane, polythioesterurethane, polyesterthiourethane or polythioesterthiourethane structure of the type recited in EP-A 1 640 394. Such sulfur-containing hydroxyl compounds may be used individually or else in the form of any desired mixtures with one another.

Particularly preferred sulfur-containing compounds are polyether and polyester thiols of the type mentioned. Very particularly preferred compounds may be selected from the group consisting of 4-mercaptomethyl-1,8-dimercapto-3,6-dithiaoctane, 1,1,3,3-tetrakis(mercaptomethylthio)propane, 5,7-dimercaptomethyl-1,11-dimercapto-3,6,9-trithiaundecane, 4,7-dimercaptomethyl-1,11-dimercapto-3,6,9-trithiaundecane, 4,8-dimercaptomethyl-1,11-dimercapto-3,6,9-trithiaundecane, trimethylolpropane tris(2-mercaptoacetate), trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate), pentaerythritol tetrakis(2-mercaptoacetate) and pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate).

Likewise suitable as compounds having isocyanate-reactive groups are carboxylic acids, carboxylic anhydrides and epoxides.

It is likewise possible for the isocyanate-reactive component to comprise mixtures of different compounds having isocyanate-reactive groups.

In principle, the isocyanate group-containing component b. can contain any desired mixtures of different polyisocyanates. These may be the mixtures of oligomeric and monomeric polyisocyanates already described hereinabove. Mixtures of different isocyanate-terminated prepolymers may also be concerned. The free combination of all suitable polyisocyanates makes it possible to adjust the properties of the formulation and coatings produced therefrom as desired.

It is also preferable, for the isocyanate group-containing component b., to mix isocyanate-terminated prepolymers with monomeric or oligomeric polyisocyanates. This embodiment of the invention has the advantage that monomeric and/or oligomeric polyisocyanates may be used to reduce the viscosity of an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer. Since the monomeric/oligomeric polyisocyanates may be crosslinked with one another and with the isocyanate-terminated prepolymer by their isocyanate groups, these are bound in the formulation at the end of the preparation thereof. They therefore act as reactive diluents.

In a preferred embodiment of the formulation, the formulation has at least one of the following properties at room temperature:

-   -   (A) a starting viscosity in a range from 1 to 200 mPas,         preferably from 1 to 100 mPas, or preferably from 5 to 50 mPas,         or preferably from 5 to 20 mPas;     -   (B) a starting viscosity in a range from 30 to 1000 mPas,         preferably from 50 to 500 mPas, or preferably from 100 to 500         mPas;     -   (C) a starting viscosity in a range from 50 to 2000 mPas, or         preferably from 100 to 1500 mPas, or preferably from 150 to 100         mPas;     -   (D) a starting viscosity in a range from 1000 to 100 000 mPas,         preferably from 2000 to 90 000 mPas, or preferably from 2500 to         50 000 mPas;     -   (E) a content of isocyanate groups of less than 60% by weight,         preferably of less than 50% by weight, or preferably of less         than 30% by weight, or preferably of less than 10% by weight, or         preferably of less than 5% by weight, based on the total amount         of the formulation;         wherein the formulation has one of the properties selected         from (A) to (D) in combination with property (E).

More preferably, the formulation has a content of isocyanate groups in a range from 2% to 60% by weight, or preferably in a range from 3% to 50% by weight, or preferably in a range from 4% to 35% by weight, or preferably in a range from 5% to 20% by weight, based on the total amount of the formulation.

The formulation preferably has at least one of the following properties at room temperature:

-   -   (A) a starting viscosity in a range from 5 to 20 mPas; or     -   (B) a starting viscosity in a range from 100 to 500 mPas; or     -   (C) a starting viscosity in a range from 150 to 1000 mPas; or     -   (D) a starting viscosity in a range from 2500 to 50 000 mPas;         and/or     -   (E) a content of isocyanate groups of less than 60% by weight,         based on the total amount of the formulation;         wherein the formulation has one of the properties selected         from (A) to (D) in combination with property (E).

The formulation more preferably has a content of isocyanate groups in a range from 5% to 20% by weight, based on the total amount of the formulation.

The viscosity determinations for (A) to (D) were carried out using a Physica MCR 301 (Anton Paar GmbH) with a plate/plate (diameter 40 mm) measurement geometry at 20° C. measurement temperature. All viscosity data relate to a shear rate of 500 l/s.

The dispersed pigments are preferably present in the formulation with an average particle size (Z-average) of less than 20 μm, or preferably of less than 5 μm, or preferably of less than 1 μm, or preferably of less than 0.5 μm, or preferably of less than 0.2 μm. It is also preferable for the distribution to be monomodal. It is additionally preferable for the distribution indicated by the polydispersity index (PDI) to be less than 0.6, or preferably less than 0.45, or preferably less than 0.35 or preferably less than 0.2.

In a preferred embodiment of the formulation, the formulation exhibits a rise in the particle size on storage at 50° C. and standard pressure over a period of 3 days of less than 500%, based on the original particle size of the formulation, based on the Z-average measured by means of dynamic light scattering. The particle size measurements were conducted by means of dynamic light scattering using a Zetasizer Nano ZS (Malvern Instruments Ltd.) at a temperature of 20° C. All measured values always relate to the intensity signal (Z-average). The polydispersity index is likewise determined with the aid of the Zetasizer Nano ZS.

Component c. can comprise either wetting agents or dispersants or possibly wetting agents and dispersants. Component c. can contain compounds which function both as wetting agent and as dispersant. The wetting agent c. used may be all compounds to those skilled in the art that are suitable for wetting pigments.

For the reliable dispersion and stabilization of pigments in coating systems, dispersants are generally used in order to reduce the mechanical shear forces required for an effective dispersion of the solids and at the same time to realize the maximum possible levels of filling. The dispersants assist the breaking up of agglomerates, and, being surface-active materials, wet and cover the surface of the particles to be dispersed, and stabilize them against undesired reagglomeration. The stabilization of the pigments is of major significance for example in the coatings industry, since pigments, as important formulation constituent, determine the optical appearance and the physicochemical properties of a coating. In order for them to be able to develop their action optimally in the coating, they should be distributed uniformly and finely in the coating material during the dispersion process. The finely dispersed pigments should be stabilized so that this situation is maintained during the preparation, the storage, the processing and the subsequent application, such as film formation. A recombining of the primary particles and aggregates may result in the formation of deposits in the form of hard and/or soft sediments, in an increase in viscosity, in losses of gloss, in insufficient color depth, in low coverage, in flooding or floating of the pigments and in poorly reproducible color tones, as already described in Goldschmidt, Streitberger; BASF Handbuch Lackiertechnik, BASF Munster and Vincentz Verlag Hannover 2002, p. 205 ff.

Preference is given to using Bykjet® 9131, Efka® PX 4701, Disperbyk® 2200, or a mixture of at least two of these.

Those skilled in the art know that a large number of pigments, for example for use in printing inks, coating materials or related fields of application, are only poorly dispersible in formulations. In order to reduce the energy input necessary for dispersing pigment particles in a liquid medium, wetting agents and dispersants are therefore often used. A large number of different substances are known which are used today as dispersants for pigment and fillers.

The dispersant c. is preferably selected from the group consisting of polymers and copolymers having functional groups and/or groups with pigment affinity, alkylammonium salts of polymers and copolymers, polymers and copolymers having acidic groups, comb and block copolymers, such as block copolymers having basic groups with pigment affinity, modified acrylate block copolymers, modified polyurethanes, modified polyamines and/or polyamines that have been converted to salts, epoxide-amine adducts, phosphoric esters of polyethers, polyesters and polyether esters, basic or acidic ethoxylates such as alkoxylated mono- or polyamines or acidic 1,2-dicarboxylic anhydride monoesters of alkoxylated monoalcohols, reaction products of unsaturated fatty acids with mono-, di- and polyamines, aminoalcohols, and unsaturated 1,2-dicarboxylic acids and their anhydrides and their salts and reaction products with alcohols and/or amines; polymers and copolymers with fatty acid esters, modified polyacrylates, such as transesterified polyacrylates, modified polyesters, such as acid-functional and/or amino-functional polyesters, polyphosphates, and mixtures of at least two of these.

Dispersants selected are preferably those compounds such as have been described in the documents EP 0 154 678 B1, EP 0 270 126 B1, EP 031899981, EP 041749081, EP 0879860 B1, EP 0893155 B1, EP 1081 169 B1, EP1416019 A1, EP 1486 524 A1, EP 1593 700 B1, EP 1640 389 A1, EP 1650 246 A1, EP 1742 990, EP 1803 753, EP 1837 355, DE 102006048144, DE 102006062439, DE 102006062440, DE 102006062441 and DE 102007005720.

The grinding resin d. used can be any compounds that those skilled in the art would choose as grinding resin for a formulation according to the invention. As grinding resin d., preference is given to using compounds having a defined number of isocyanate-reactive groups so that the formulation according to the invention can be made to be storage stable. The grinding resin d. is preferably selected such that the desired ratio of isocyanate groups to isocyanate-reactive groups of the formulation can be observed. The grinding resin d. preferably contains a content of isocyanate-reactive groups of less than 15% by weight, or preferably less than 8% by weight, or preferably less than 5% by weight, or preferably less than 2% by weight, based on the total amount of the grinding resin.

Examples of preferred compounds of the grinding resin d. are monohydric, dihydric and polyhydric alcohols having primary, secondary and/or tertiary OH groups, analogous thiols, polyols, for example polyether polyols, polyester polyols, polyacrylate polyols, polycarbonate polyols, analogous polythiols, sulfur-containing hydroxyl compounds, amines (for example primary, secondary, aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, sterically hindered), polyamines, aspartic esters and condensation resins.

In a preferred embodiment of the formulation, the grinding resin d. is selected from the group consisting of (poly)alcohols, (poly)thiols, (poly)amines, condensation resins originating from a polyaldol reaction or a mixture of at least two of these.

The condensation resins are preferably aldehyde resins. These may consist for example of urea and butyraldehyde. Such condensation resins are described for example in DE 102205060158 A1. Condensation products of urea and/or its derivatives with formaldehyde and CH-acidic aldehydes are also known from the patent literature. For example, according to DE 1272284 the reaction of formaldehyde, ureas and CH-acidic aldehydes affords ureidopropionaldehydes in stoichiometric proportions. Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Sixth Edition, 2000 Electronic Release, describes in the chapter “Synthetic Resins”, subchapter “Ketone and Aldehyde Resins”, and there specifically under “Aldehyde Resins”, the properties of various condensation resins based on isobutyraldehyde, urea and formaldehyde.

For the polyols, relatively high molecular weight polyhydroxy compounds such as polyether polyols, polyester polyols, polycarbonate polyols, polysiloxane polyols and polybutadiene polyols are predominantly suitable here.

The grinding resin d. used is preferably a yellowing-resistant condensation product of urea and aliphatic aldehydes (e.g. Laropal® A 81). As an alternative, the yellowing-resistant grinding resin d. used is preferably a slightly branched, hydroxyl group-containing polyester (e.g. Desmophen® 670).

Polyether polyols are obtainable in a manner known per se, by alkoxylation of suitable starter molecules under base catalysis or using double metal cyanide compounds (DMC compounds). Examples of suitable starter molecules for the preparation of polyether polyols are simple low molecular weight polyols, water, organic polyamines having at least two N—H bonds, or any mixtures of such starter molecules. Preferred starter molecules for the preparation of polyether polyols by alkoxylation, in particular by the DMC process, are in particular simple polyols such as ethylene glycol, propylene 1,3-glycol and butane-1,4-diol, hexane-1,6-diol, neopentyl glycol, 2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, and low molecular weight, hydroxyl group-containing esters of such polyols with dicarboxylic acids of the type specified hereinafter by way of example, or low molecular weight ethoxylation or propoxylation products of such simple polyols, or any desired mixtures of such modified or unmodified alcohols. Alkylene oxides suitable for the alkoxylation are especially ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, which can be used in the alkoxylation in any sequence or else in a mixture.

Polyester polyols can be prepared in a known manner by polycondensation of low molecular weight polycarboxylic acid derivatives, for example succinic acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanedioic acid, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, tetrachlorophthalic anhydride, endomethylenetetrahydrophthalic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, succinic acid, dimer fatty acid, trimer fatty acid, phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, citric acid or trimellitic acid, with low molecular weight polyols, for example ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, hexanediol, butanediol, propylene glycol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, 1,4-hydroxymethylcyclohexane, 2-methylpropane-1,3-diol, butane-1,2,4-triol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, dibutylene glycol and polybutylene glycol, or by ring-opening polymerization of cyclic carboxylic esters such as ε-caprolactone. It is moreover also possible to polycondense hydroxycarboxylic acid derivatives, for example lactic acid, cinnamic acid or ω-hydroxycaproic acid to form polyester polyols. However, it is also possible to use polyester polyols of oleochemical origin. Such polyester polyols can be prepared, for example, by full ring-opening of epoxidized triglycerides of an at least partly olefinically unsaturated fatty acid-containing fat mixture with one or more alcohols having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and by subsequent partial transesterification of the triglyceride derivatives to alkyl ester polyols having 1 to 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical.

The preparation of suitable polyacrylate polyols is known per se to those skilled in the art. They are obtained by free-radical polymerization of olefinically unsaturated monomers having hydroxyl groups or by free-radical copolymerization of olefinically unsaturated monomers having hydroxyl groups with optionally different olefinically unsaturated monomers, for example ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, styrene, acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, and/or methacrylonitrile. Suitable olefinically unsaturated monomers having hydroxyl groups are in particular 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, the hydroxypropyl acrylate isomer mixture obtainable by addition of propylene oxide onto acrylic acid, and the hydroxypropyl methacrylate isomer mixture obtainable by addition of propylene oxide onto methacrylic acid. Suitable free-radical initiators are those from the group of the azo compounds, for example azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN), or from the group of the peroxides, for example di-tert-butyl peroxide.

It is also possible to use polyamines, for example the polyaspartic acid derivatives known from EP-B 0 403 921, or else polyamines the amino groups of which are in blocked form, for example polyketimines, polyaldimines or oxazolanes. The effect of moisture on these blocked amino groups is to convert them into free amino groups and, in the case of the oxazolanes, into free hydroxyl groups as well, which can be consumed by crosslinking reaction with the isocyanate groups.

Sulfur-containing hydroxyl compounds are likewise suitable. Such compounds preferably contain at least one sulfur atom in the form of thio groups, thioether groups, thioesterurethane groups, esterthiourethane groups and/or polythioesterthiourethane groups, and at least one OH group.

Particularly preferred sulfur-containing compounds are polyether and polyester thiols of the type mentioned.

The grinding resin can also consist of any desired mixture of the different compounds described for component d.

Suitable solvents are all solvents e. which can preferably fully dissolve the isocyanate group-containing component b. Preference is given to using solvents which react only slowly, if at all, with isocyanates and which preferably fully dissolve the latter and have a boiling point >30° C. and <300° C. Preference is also given to solvents e. which have a low water content, preferably less than 1% by weight, preferably less than 0.5% by weight, or preferably less than 0.1% by weight, or preferably less than 0.01% by weight, based on the total amount of solvent e.

Examples include solvents comprising structural elements selected from ketone, ester, ether, alicyclic rings, heterocyclic rings, aromatics, chlorine and any desired mixtures thereof such as for example ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methoxypropyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, toluene, xylene, Solvent naphtha® 100 and mixtures thereof. Preferred solvents are methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, butyl glycol acetate and 2-ethylhexyl acetate.

The solvent e. can be either a single solvent or any desired mixture of at least 2, preferably above-mentioned, solvents.

Should isocyanate-reactive groups be present in the solvent e., these groups are taken into account when determining the ratio of isocyanate groups to isocyanate-reactive groups when preparing the formulation. The content of isocyanate-reactive groups in the solvent e. is preferably less than 20% by weight, or preferably less than 10% by weight, or preferably less than 5% by weight, or preferably less than 3% by weight, based on the total amount of solvent e.

The invention further provides a process for preparing storage-stable isocyanate group-containing formulations at least comprising the steps:

-   -   i. dispersing at least one pigment in at least one grinding         resin in the presence of at least one wetting agent and/or         dispersant, to obtain a pigment dispersion, wherein the         customary dispersing apparatuses known to those skilled in the         art can be used, until the desired particle size of the at least         one pigment is reached,     -   ii. optionally diluting the pigment dispersion obtained from         step i. with solvent,     -   iii. mixing the pigment dispersion from step i. or step ii. with         an isocyanate group-containing component to obtain the         isocyanate group-containing formulation,         wherein the ratio of the sum of the isocyanate groups to the sum         of all isocyanate-reactive groups in the formulation is at least         6:1, or preferably at least 8:1, or preferably at least 11:1, or         preferably at least 15:1, or preferably at least 20:1, or         preferably at least 50:1, or preferably at least 100:1.

Preferably, in the process the steps are performed in the sequence i. first, then optionally ii., and only then iii.

Stable, in particular storage-stable, isocyanate group-containing formulations within the context of the invention are preferably distinguished by the fact that the viscosity during a storage of at least 3 days, or preferably at least 5 days, or preferably of at least 7 days, or preferably of at least 10 days, or preferably of at least 14 days, at 50° C. merely exhibit a rise in viscosity of ≤500%, preferably of ≤300%, or preferably of ≤200%, or preferably of ≤100%, or preferably of ≤50%. Especially preferably, the rise in the viscosity during a storage of 3 days at 50° C. of the formulation is ≤100%, based on the starting viscosity. More preferably, the rise in the particle size of the isocyanate group-containing formulation, measured with dynamic light scattering after redispersion of any soft sediments formed, based on the Z-average, is at most 500%, preferably at most 200%, preferably at most 100%, preferably at most 50%. “Soft sediments” are understood within the context of the invention to mean that the sediments redisperse as a result of shaking.

Storage-stable isocyanate group-containing formulations are preferably distinguished by the fact that they do not form any hard sediments during the storage. “Hard sediments” are understood within the context of the invention to mean that the sediments cannot be redispersed by shaking. “Shaking” is preferably understood to mean shaking by hand or by means of customary laboratory shaking machines. The laboratory shaker used was an IKA® VORTEX 2 at a speed of 2000 rpm, with the shaking time preferably being in a range from 10 to 60 seconds, or preferably in a range from 15 to 40 seconds.

The pigment is preferably distributed homogeneously in the formulation prepared by the process according to the invention. “Homogeneously” is understood to mean that the percentage proportion of the pigment in the formulation at different locations differs by not more than 10% by weight, preferably not more than 5% by weight, particularly preferably not more than 1% by weight, from the average proportion of pigment in the formulation.

The invention further provides for the use of the formulation according to the invention for the coating of substrate surfaces. Preferred substrates are selected from the group consisting of textile, wood, plastic, glass, ceramic, carbon, metal or a combination of at least two of these. The coating is preferably effected in the form of a continuous layer at least on a portion of the surface. The coating is preferably effected by means of a process that those skilled in the art would choose for this purpose. The coating is preferably selected from the group consisting of painting, casting, knife-coating, spraying, dipping, flow-coating, printing, rolling or a combination of at least two of these. All process variants known in the art can be used for this.

The invention further relates to an object coated in accordance with the use according to the invention. The coating is in this case preferably effected over the entire surface, but can alternatively also be effected only on a portion of the surface of the substrate.

The invention further relates to the use of the formulation according to the invention as an ink.

A preferred embodiment of the use according to the invention of the formulation according to the invention as an ink is as an ink for digital printing. As an ink for digital printing, the formulation preferably has a viscosity in a range from 1 to 200 mPas, or preferably in a range from 1 to 100 mPas, or preferably in a range from 5 to 50 mPas, or preferably in a range from 5 to 20 mPas.

The invention further relates to a printed object obtainable using the formulation according to the invention as an ink, in particular as an ink for digital printing.

In a preferred embodiment of the object, the material of the object is selected from the group consisting of textile, wood, plastic, glass, ceramic, carbon, metal or a combination of at least two of these.

EXAMPLES

All percentages involving weight figures always relate to percent by weight, unless otherwise indicated.

All viscosity determinations were carried out using a Physica MCR 301 (Anton Paar GmbH) with a plate/plate (diameter 40 mm) measurement geometry at 20° C. measurement temperature. All viscosity data relate to a shear rate of 500 l/s, unless otherwise indicated. The starting viscosity is defined according to the invention as the viscosity as of 1 hour after combining all of the desired components, in particular the selected components a. to e.

All particle size measurements were conducted by means of dynamic light scattering using a Zetasizer Nano ZS (Malvern Instruments Ltd.) at a temperature of 20° C. All measured values always relate to the intensity signal (Z-average).

Agglomerated pigment particles were comminuted during the production of pigment pastes. A high input of energy into the material to be ground was necessary for this. The energy can be input, for example, by means of ultrasound, rotor-stator systems or roller mills. A further method known to those skilled in the art is the grinding of the particle agglomerates in the medium in which they are to be dispersed, for example in ball or bead mills. The production of pigmented pastes was produced using a Dispermat LC30 (VMA-Getzmann GmbH) in a 125 ml double-walled temperature-controlled vessel made from stainless steel. In a first step, all materials were weighed into this vessel and mixed by hand. Subsequently, the mixture was predispersed using a dispersing disk (diameter 30 mm) for 10 minutes at 10 000 rpm until a homogeneous material (material to be ground) was formed. The dispersing tool was then replaced by a single grinding disk made from polyamide (diameter 32 mm). Zirconium oxide beads (yttrium-stabilized) having an average diameter of 0.6 to 0.8 mm were subsequently added to the material to be ground. The material to be ground was finely ground for 90 minutes at a rotational speed of 14 000 rpm with continuous cooling. After dispersion, the grinding beads were removed by filtration.

The pigmented isocyanate group-containing formulations were prepared as follows:

The pigmented paste was initially charged in a 30 ml glass vessel. The solvent (if present in the formulation) was subsequently added gradually with stirring. In a final step, the isocyanate component was added gradually with stirring. The mixture was shaken and homogenized for 30 minutes on a roller mixer (KG TRM50, IDL GmbH & Co. KG).

Materials

Organic pigments can be obtained, for example, from Clariant SE. Inorganic titanium dioxide can be obtained, for example, from Kronos Worldwide Inc. Black carbon black pigments can be obtained, for example, from Orion Engineered Carbons GmbH, which is indeed what has been done for the experimental results listed below.

TABLE 1 Pigments Primary Pigment particle Pigment class Density size No. Name Manufacturer color Color Index (chemical) (g/cm³) (nm) 1 Hostaperm ® Clariant SE Cyan P.B 15:4 Phthalocyanine 1.62 65 Blue BT-617-D 2 Inkjet Magenta Clariant SE Magenta P.V. 19 Quinacridone 1.5 70 5EB02 3 Inkjet Yellow Clariant SE Yellow P.Y. 155 Diazo 1.5 90 4GC 4 Kronos ® 2310 Kronos White P.W. 6 Titanium 4 *n.s. Worldwide Inc. dioxide 5 NIPex ® 35 Orion Black P. Bk. 7 Furnace *n.s. 31 Engineered carbon black Carbons GmbH *n.s. = not specified

Grinding resins are available from a large number of manufacturers. Suitable grinding resins can be obtained from BASF SE or from Covestro AG, among others, which is indeed what has been done for the experimental results listed below.

TABLE 2 Grinding resins OH Acid Class number number No. Name Manufacturer (chemical) (mg KOH/g) (mg KOH/g) 1 Laropal A81 BASF SE Condensation resin made 40 ≤3 from urea and aliphatic aldehydes 2 Desmophen 670 Covestro AG Hydroxyl group- 141.9 2 ± 1 containing polyester

Both grinding resins from table 2 were always used diluted to 70% by weight in butyl acetate.

Solvents are available from a large number of manufacturers. Suitable solvents can be obtained from Sigma-Aldrich, among others, which is indeed what has been done for the experimental results listed below.

TABLE 3 Solvent No. Solvent CAS number Manufacturer 1 Butyl acetate (BuAc) 123-86-4 Sigma-Aldrich ACS reagent, ≥99.5% (GC) 2 Butyl glycol acetate (BGA) 99% 112-07-2 Sigma-Aldrich

Wetting and dispersing auxiliaries (also called dispersing additives) can be obtained from various manufacturers. Among others, Byk Additives & Instruments GmbH or BASF SE offer such auxiliaries, which is indeed what has been done for the experimental results listed below.

TABLE 4 Wetting and dispersing additive (component c.) Sum of hydroxyl, amine Content of and acid numbers based non- Dispersing on the additive as volatile No. additive Manufacturer Structure supplied (mg KOH/g) matter (%) 1 Bykjet ® Byk Additives Solution of a structured 144 40 9131 & Instruments copolymer with groups GmbH having pigment affinity 2 Efka ® PX BASF SE Acrylate block copolymer 40 100 4701 3 Disperbyk ® Byk Additives High molecular weight n.s. 100 2200 & Instruments copolymer with groups GmbH having pigment affinity

Isocyanates corresponding to component b. can be obtained from various manufacturers. Among others, Covestro AG offers such isocyanates, which is indeed what has been done for the experimental results listed below.

TABLE 5 Isocyanates (component b.) No. Isocyanate Manufacturer NCO content (%) 1 Desmodur ® H Covestro AG Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), monomeric aliphatic diisocyanate having a molar mass of 168, an equivalent weight of 84, an NCO content ≥49.7% according to DIN EN ISO 11909 and a purity of ≥99.5% (GC). 2 Desmodur ® N3400 Covestro AG Aliphatic polyisocyanate (HDI uretdione) with an NCO content of 21.8 ± 0.7% according to DIN EN ISO 11909, a viscosity at 23° C. of 175 ± 75 mPas according to DIN EN ISO 3219/A.3 and a content of monomeric HDI ≤0.3% according to DIN EN ISO 10283 3 Desmodur ® N3600 Covestro AG Aliphatic polyisocyanate (low-viscosity HDI trimer) with an NCO content of 23.0 ± 0.5% according to M105-ISO 11909, a viscosity at 23° C. of 1200 ± 300 mPas according to M014-ISO 3219/A.3 and a content of monomeric HDI ≤0.25% according to M106-ISO 10283.

TABLE 6 Examples with various NCO/OH ratios. Example/initial weight [g] Paste 1 (comparative) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Grinding resin d. Laropal ® A81 6.71 6.71 6.71 (70% in BuAc) Desmophen ® 670 7.49 7.49 7.49 7.49 7.49 (70% in BuAc) Pigments a. Cyan 41.15  41.15  37.26  41.15  37.26  41.15  41.15  37.26  Additive (wetting agent and/or dispersant) c. Bykjet ® 9131 44.03  44.03  40.1  44.03  40.1  44.03  44.03  40.1  Solvent e. BuAc/BGA 1:2 7.33 7.33 15.93  7.33 15.93  7.33 7.33 15.93  Formulation* 1 (comparative) 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 Paste composed of 1.75 2.9  3   2   1.5  1   1   1   components a. + c. − e. BuAc/BGA 1:2 component e. 0.85 2.26 2.46 1.95 2.46 2.44 3.39 3.44 Desmodur ® N3600 2.00 5.28 5.73 4.55 5.74 5.69 7.91 8.04 component b. NCO/NCO-reactive groups 5:1 8:1 10:1 10:1 20:1 25:1 35:1 42:1 Starting viscosity [mPa*s] 127    113    74    71    69.4  67    58.4  56    Rel. change in viscosity [%], 1168^(a)    369^(a)   320^(b)   323^(b)   148^(b)   100^(b)   75^(b)   71^(b)   after a, b days of storage at 50° C. Rel. change in the Z-average n.d.** n.d.** n.d.** n.d.** −17.0   −12.9   −15.0   −12.6   [%], after 14 days of storage at 50° C. (according to the invention) No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Stable No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes *Formulations 1 to 8 were prepared from pastes 1 to 8, respectively, **not determined, ^(a)after 3 days, ^(b)after 14 days

TABLE 7 further examples according to the invention Example/initial weight [g] Paste 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Grinding resin d. (from table 2) Laropal ® A81 (70% in BuAc) 6.71 54.83 6.79 50.06 29.66 6.71 6.79 6.71 6.79 45.87 Pigments a. (from table 1) Cyan 1 37.26 37.26 37.26 Magenta 2 21.70 Yellow 3 37.77 37.77 37.77 White 4 36.70 35.7 Black 5 23.63 Wetting agent and dispersant c. (from table 4) Bykjet ® 9131 40.10 40.58 40.10 40.58 40.10 40.58 Efka ® PX 4701 13.01 3.58 Disperbyk ® 2200 5.03 1.65 Solvents e. (from table 3) BuAc/BGA 1:2 15.93 18.45 14.85 11.59 33.7 15.93 14.85 15.93 14.85 14.85 Formulation* 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Paste 1.61 1.40 1.59 0.82 1.27 0.81 0.79 0.81 0.79 0.84 BuAc/BGA 1:2 5.52 2.58 5.52 2.75 2.62 0.92 0.92 2.75 Isocyanate b. (from table 5) Desmodur ® H 9.19 9.21 Desmodur ® N3400 8.28 8.29 Desmodur ® N3600 12.87 6.02 12.89 6.43 6.11 6.41 NCO/NCO-reactive groups 42:1 87:1 42:1 172:1 110:1 128:1 130:1 51:1 51:1 166:1 Starting viscosity [mPa*s] 53.4 68.2 62.9 60 55 3.2 3.0 105 103 55.1 Rel. change in the Z-average −11.6 5.5 −16.8 3.2 −5.4 −13.7 51.21 −13.4 −14 8.2 [%] after 14 days of storage at 50° C. Rel. change in viscosity 35.6 45 23.1 29 50 22 33 51 83 34.8 [%] after 14 days of storage at 50° C. (according to the invention) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Stable Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes * Formulations 9 to 18 were prepared from pastes 9 to 18, respectively Example 1 exhibits a rise in viscosity of more than 500% after three days of storage at 50° C. and is therefore not in accordance with the invention. All other examples are in accordance with the invention. 

1. A storage-stable, isocyanate group-containing formulation comprising the components: a. at least one pigment, b. at least one isocyanate group-containing component, c. at least one wetting agent and/or dispersant, d. at least one grinding resin, and e. optionally solvents, wherein the formulation after storage at 50° C. over a period of at least 3 days exhibits a rise in viscosity of less than 500%, based on a starting viscosity of the formulation.
 2. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one component having at least one isocyanate-reactive group, wherein a molar ratio of isocyanate groups of component b. to a sum of all isocyanate-reactive groups in the formulation is at least 6:1.
 3. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, comprising a. 0.01% to 45% by weight of the at least one pigment; b. 1% to 99% by weight of the at least one isocyanate group-containing component; c. 0.01% to 20% by weight of the at least one wetting agent and/or dispersant; d. 0.1% to 30% by weight of the at least one grinding resin; and e. 0% to 80% by weight of the solvents; in each case based on a total weight of the formulation, with a sum of all constituents in the formulation not exceeding 100% by weight.
 4. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the isocyanate group-containing component b. comprises 1,4-diisocyanatobutane, 1,5-diisocyanatopentane, 1,6-diisocyanatohexane, 2-methyl-1,5-diisocyanatopentane, 1,5-diisocyanato-2,2-dimethylpentane, 2,2,4- or 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,6-diisocyanatohexane, 1,10-diisocyanatodecane, 1,3- or 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)benzene, 1,3- or 1,4-bis(1-isocyanato-1-methylethyl)benzene, 2,4- or 2,6-diisocyanatotoluene, 2,4′- or 4,4′-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane, 1,5-diisocyanatonaphthalene, 1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane, 1-isocyanato-1-methyl-4(3)-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane, 2,4′- or 4,4′-diisocyanatodicyclohexylmethane, optionally oligomers or reaction products of these, or a mixture of at least two of these.
 5. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the isocyanate group-containing component b. consists of aliphatic or cycloaliphatic isocyanates.
 6. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the formulation has at least one of the following properties at room temperature: (A) a starting viscosity in a range from 1 to 200 mPas; (B) a starting viscosity in a range from 30 to 1000 mPas; (C) a starting viscosity in a range from 50 to 2000 mPas; (D) a starting viscosity in a range from 1000 to 100 000 mPas; (E) a content of isocyanate groups of less than 60% by weight, based on a total weight of the formulation, wherein the formulation has one of the properties selected from (A) to (D) in combination with property (E).
 7. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the formulation exhibits a rise in particle size of less than 500% on storage at 50° C. and standard pressure over a period of 3 days, as compared to an original particle size of the formulation, based on Z average measured by dynamic light scattering, wherein the Z-average represents an intensity-weighted harmonic mean of a hydrodynamic diameter.
 8. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grinding resin d. comprises (poly)alcohols, (poly)thiols, (poly)amines, condensation resins originating from a polyaldol reaction, or a mixture of at least two of these.
 9. A process for preparing an isocyanate group-containing formulation at least comprising: i. dispersing at least one pigment in at least one grinding resin in the presence of at least one wetting agent and/or dispersant, to obtain a pigment dispersion, ii. optionally diluting the pigment dispersion with solvent, iii. mixing the pigment dispersion with an isocyanate group-containing component to obtain the isocyanate group-containing formulation, wherein a ratio of a sum of isocyanate groups to a sum of all isocyanate-reactive groups in the formulation is at least 6:1.
 10. A method for coating of substrate surfaces, comprising applying the formulation of claim 1 to a substrate surface to obtain a coated object.
 11. A coated object obtained as claimed in claim
 10. 12. An ink, comprising the formulation of claim
 1. 13. A method of digital printing, comprising applying the ink of claim 12 to a substrate surface.
 14. A printed object obtained using the formulation as claimed in claim 1 as an ink.
 15. The object as claimed in claim 14, wherein a material of the object comprises textile, wood, plastic, glass, ceramic, carbon, metal, or a combination of at least two of these. 